Marriott Vacation Club - Orla.ndo

[lak]

After searching the boards, decided to post the infamous question again - Best Marriott Vacation Club location in Orlando?

We're booking for next March - will have a close to 11 year old, and an 8 1/2 year old daughters. Will go see my high school niece perform in her high school band at Disney

 

[Detailor]

My preference, based on resort and room amenities and general layout, are Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour. Both are very nice resorts. Have visited both at least once in the past couple of years and would highly recommend either. CH is a little more compact and the landscaping is more lush giving the resort a cozy feel to it.

Others cite the themed pool area at Horizons as a big attraction to that resort (across the street from Cypress Harbour) for those with small children. That's not particularly important to us so we're happy with GV or CH.

Dick Taylor

 

[lak]

Thanks Dick.

We're going through the 90 minute presentation inorder to stay there. Do you actually have ownership in a timeshare?

 

[Detailor]

Thanks Dick.

We're going through the 90 minute presentation inorder to stay there. Do you actually have ownership in a timeshare?

Lori,
Yes, I own at a timeshare resort in the Carolinas.
Most of our Orlando trips have been at timeshares. The only Orlando timeshare presentation that we've attended was at the Vistana Resort back in 1997 (we did not enjoy the experience of the presentation and did not buy a timeshare until 2002 - on the resale market). We've generally rented weeks in Orlando from timeshare owners, but our Marriott stays were results of exchanges of a TS week or use of bonus weeks.
Though I've never attended a Marriott presentation I've been given to understand that they do not use high sales pressure. That seems likely to me as the sales people at most timeshares just keep calling and calling to set up a meeting while the folks at Marriott will usually only call once and then leave you alone (two weeks ago shortly after check-in at Grande Vista someone called for my wife - who was at the pool - but left no message and that was the last live call that we got that week).
Florida has strict timeshare laws and limit the presentation to 90 minutes. If you've agreed to attend one in exchange for relatively low-cost, high-quality lodging then you've got to attend but you are under no obligation to stay beyond those 90 minutes.

Dick Taylor

 

[jeff968]

Cypress Harbour is our favorite. We've stayed there 3 times now.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We;ve always stayed at the Grande Vista and loved it. For our upcoming trip I wanted to try something new so I booked Horizons. It has a pool area that my kids will really enjoy. If you choose the GV it is really very nice. Ask for a new building if available.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I have taken the Marriott timeshare tour adn the Hilton tour at the I drive property. I took both to compare the 2 propertys with the intent of adding an offsite week to my DVC.

The marriott tour was very enjoyable, Low pressure all sales people encountered where professional and courteous. I stated upfront what my intent was. I was allowed to all requested materials home with me. including prices and exact sales offerrings.
Hilton on the other hand.. was very high pressure. salesman was condesending and rude. I again stated upfront I was comparing the 2 companys. He refused to provide ANY information that I could take with me. refused to let me see the figures he was spouting and lied several times flat out during the presentation.
Then yuo had to signed out by 3 differant managers. ALL exceedingly rude. Then you are escorted off the sales floor.

as a result. I would NEVER consider buying from hilton. property was nice thier sales practices were not above board.

In contrast I would have bought from Marriott had Animal Kingdom Lodge villas not come about. i would have bought at Marriott horizon's next year.

 

[swillis]

Stayed at the Grande Vista in May 06 with my kids (10,11) They LOVED it. Great pools, comfy rooms, with lots of room to spread out. Good food, lots of extar activities. Just awesome.

 

[littlestar]

My two favorites in Orlando are Cypress Harbour and Horizons.

 

[swilshire]

We just drove in today from Orlando. The big story on the news for the last couple of days was the guest who was attacked at knife point at the Marriott Grand Vista by a contract employee. He apparently followed her from the pool and knocked on the door with an excuse about bringing towels. He was in a Marriott uniform. She was able to escape and was apparently uninjured. The attacker was caught. He was an illegal with three fake IDs.

It just goes to show that you can't be too careful wherever you're staying.

Sheila